Interview with Don Emry

[Dastari]

I have an interview with Don Emry set up for tomorrow. He developed the four 1973 games for the original Magnavox Odyssey and was a tech writer for some of the game manuals. As far as I know he has only been interviewed one time back in 2004 on a Digital Press forum. You can find that interview here: http://www.digitpress.com/library/interviews/interview_don_emry.html

I think that interview left out a lot of questions, but I wanted to throw things open to the community to see what questions all of you have, and I'll add them to my list.

[Nz17]

How were games programmed back then?

What was your inspiration for your games?

Were there other game ideas that you wanted to create but didn't have the time or resources?

What do you think could have changed the lifespan of the Magnavox Odyssey?

Did your skills you learned there help you throughout the rest of your life after Magnavox?

What advice do you have for young programmers today?

What are your recommendations for people that want to start designing computer games?

[celerystalker]

While working on the Odyssey, did you see it as a step toward a growing product line or a one-off novelty device?

Were people around you viewing it the same way?

If you could have chosen to stay in game creation without making concessions to your family life, would you have made it your career?

How do you see your role with the Odyssey compared to your other achievements, and has it skewed how you think people should remember you?